Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

After writing a fake autobiographical film (Adaptation) in which he pretends to adapt the actual autobiographical book The Orchid Thief, writer Charlie Kaufman has now adapted the actual fake autobiography of Chuck Barris to the big screen. The results are spectacular. Barris, the evil genius behind The Gong Show, The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game, and thus the man who destroyed any hope for quality television, is presented as a TV producer by day, a CIA assassin by night. And really, if you’re willing to foist The Newlywed Game on the American people, then surely you’re willing to kill for money. Confessions is hilariously funny, strangely warm and moving, and brilliantly acted by Sam Rockwell as Chuck Barris. It’s also one of the best photographed films of recent memory, and maybe the best photographed comedy of all time.